On the 9th September 2018, Blackheath and Bromley Harriers Athletics Club’s Upper Age Group athletes, both boys and girls, managed to win the annual ‘YDL’ final competition. For the second year in a row, both the boys and girls in the club qualified to represent GB in Europe.

Blackheath and Bromley Harriers is an athletics club situated in Norman Park in Bromley, South East London. The club consists of athletes as young as 4 years old through to adults and brings a fun and welcoming atmosphere regardless of age. Athletes from ages 11 to 20 are eligible to compete at regional and national competitions, such as the YDL competitions, representing their age group for the club.

The Youth Development League (YDL) competition is a multi-event competition. Clubs start at regional level until left with only the top five clubs in the country to compete against each other at national level, with the winning Upper Age Group athletes going on further to competing in international competitions in Europe. Each competitor is entered for a different event, much like the Olympics but for athletes at a younger age.

After becoming one of the top five in their age groups in the country at the regional competitions, Blackheath and Bromley Harriers competed in the final at national level against other clubs in their age categories. The competition was held at Bedford International Athletics Stadium on Sunday the 9th September. The Upper Age Group athletes were victorious and qualified to represent GB at a competition in Spain, Europe.

Holly Mpassy, a fellow Blackheath and Bromley Harriers athlete described what she thought of this year’s YDL final competition, stating, “The YDL final was a good experience as I got to meet new people as well as competing with people from other parts of the UK, not just in our region. Also, it was fun as we went as a team and it gave me an opportunity to connect more with people in our team.”

When also asked why she enjoys competing and being part of the athletics club, Holly Mpassy replied: “Competing brings out confidence in me and it helps express myself in a different way. I like being part of a club as it is comforting to know that you have people around you that are supporting you and it helps you develop not only as an athlete but as an individual.”

Myles Xavier, another Blackheath and Bromley athlete, also commented on what he thought of this year’s YDL final competition saying, “The atmosphere was great with people supporting one another. I think everyone competed very well and it was great to hear the club’s name called out as winners at the end of the day.”

The positivity and nurturing atmosphere of the club’s athletics community will no doubt bring success for Blackheath and Bromley Harriers Athletics Club for years to come.